Last year's Year of Homemade Gifts Craft-a-long was awesome, and I thought I would start one up again. It will run from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. A few changes from last year will be that you can modify your pledge in whatever way works for you. A few of us found that an entire year of ONLY homemade gifts was a little overwhelming, so please feel free to make a pledge that works for you. This group craftalong will be about sharing images, ideas, and support for the homemade gifts we make throughout the year.

Another change will be that all Craftsters who sign up for this craftalong will be required to check in with the group at least once a month. This way you'll stay up to date with all of the wonderful things that our fellow Craftsters are making, and you can keep offering your ideas and encouragement!

I will keep a running tally of those who have signed up and posted their pledge and we can look forward to another year of amazing homemade gifts!

I, Teamama, pledge to make at least 1 homemade gift for the friends and family in my life throughout the course of the 2012-2013 Year of Homemade Gifts Craftalong, and if my gift item is purchased, that each gift will include at least 1 small homemade component.

I, Chicgeek, pledge to make some homemade gifts, as well as purchasing gifts homemade by others, thus supporting homemade. I will use storebought gifts if I cannot make or buy something handmade that is suitable for the recipient.

Yeah, I didn't do so well last year on this, but did manage a bit. I'll try and top that this year.

I, Miss Barbara, pledge to do my best by swapping or crafting for the gifts for the people I give gifts to for holidays and/or birthdays, for the Year of Homemade Gifts Craftalong 2012, 2013.

*I've actually done really great with this! I've:-been in the OHWLS to receive gifts for family, friends, and students-participated in the IYP swap, where I asked for and received gifts for family-am participating in the 'Random Swap' where I asked for badly needed items for my kitchen (I know, not gifts, but something that was necessary nonetheless, and I didn't have to buy new.)-am participating in the 'Mini 12 Days of Xmas' swap, where I asked for gifts for family-am signed up for the regular '12 Days of Xmas' swap, where I am asking for Xmas and birthday gifts for family-I am in the process of making scarves for my students for the holidays (I have thirty four students, I'm up to something like 13 scarves.)*